 In March, the Immanuel Lutheran, Ellsworth, Kansas LCC K-9 Ministry team attended handler training and met their LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Keren. Since then, the team has actively trained with the K-9 Comfort Dog to build on their handling skills. LCC is pleased to announce that the Immanuel, Ellsworth, Kansas team has completed the placement process. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Keren will serve as the church’s bridge to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Keren Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 tells us, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?” And who will go for us?” Immanuel’s team has heard the call and has said, “Here I am. Send me.”  LCC welcomes its newest LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers: Carol Kratzer (Top Dog), Pastor Luke Brown, Linda Rust, Tammy Stefek LCC is honored to include the following veteran handlers to the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry and law enforcement handlers to the LCC K-9 Police Ministry: John Kratzer (U.S. Navy, 1973-1994), Mike Rust (U.S. Army, 1969-1971), Doug Stefek (U.S. Army, 1972-1976), Harley Ruckman (Lyons, Kansas Sheriff Department, Deputy Sheriff, retired), and Bill Evans (Salina, Kansas Police Department, Detective, retired) God is with them as they begin this new journey as part of the LCC K-9 Ministry. Please keep the Immanuel Lutheran Church LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team in your prayers for God’s guidance as they go out to share, with so many who are hurting and alone, the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ.
LCC Disaster Response Helps Christ the King Chicago with Damaged Tree Removal  Last week, LCC L.E.R.T. team members Alan Holm, Marty Johnson, Bruce Preston, Pete Springmire, and Rich Wren removed a damaged tree and ground the stump and roots from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois. Pastor John and Mrs. Geri Brazeal were extremely grateful for the assistance as this tree was in danger of falling onto the church, and its roots were causing sewer issues.
LCC received the following email after the work was completed: “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Psalm 107:1-9 This is one of my favorite Psalms. It reminds me of the awesomeness of our God and the people who serve him. To those who have suffered great tragedy removing a dying tree from someone's yard is not really important. To us, it was an act of mercy, allowing us to live a better life and conserve our retirement funds for important things, such as serving those in need. Now that the tree has been laid to rest (as Morgan put this task), we can save the $400, which was used four times this year to have the plumbing rodded out to keep waste from backing up. Much of the problem was the roots in the pipes. We also have a school child now who wants to come and help the disaster team cut down trees for people who have been in storms and floods. He wants to be the man who goes to the top of the tree and cuts it down. The pod of kids who were here Monday gave up their morning recess because they wanted to watch the tree removal to see if they would like to do this kind of job. They were very impressed, and we had trouble getting them back inside! We cannot say thank you enough. You guys are always there to help us through a crisis, whether it be big or small. Do not forget you can also always count on us! Love you guys to the moon and back. Pastor John and Geri Brazeal, and Christ the King LCMS Disaster Response hosted the First Annual Chainsaw Games for experienced sawyers in Waterloo, Illinois at the end of April. The event was an opportunity for learning, chainsaw games, and fellowship. There were 16 participants and 6 instructors/judges. LCC Disaster Response was represented well by ASI Certified Arborist/LCC Chainsaw Instructor, Ed Boerman, and chainsaw team leaders Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire. Ed served as an instructor/judge. Marty placed 1st, and Pete placed 3rd in overall scoring. Lutheran Church Charities extends congratulations to a job well done and thanks for years of serving with disaster response.
May is Military Appreciation Month, a perfect time to highlight the Kare 9 Military Ministry through the experiences of the veteran handlers or veteran ministry partners. The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry will be sharing how the Kare 9 dogs are a bridge for their veteran handlers to share compassionate ministry through the bond of duty, service, and memories with active military and veterans they meet. 
During the challenging times of COVID-19, Peter and Kare 9 Hope have found ways to stay connected with veterans. He shared that Hope’s ministry team has sent cards to veterans they have previously been in contact with. The team has developed a project they call “Friendship Rocks.” Team members paint these rocks inscribed with a message, such as “Hope," “Love,” “Comfort,” “Friendship,” etc. The rocks are then delivered to the veteran’s home and left outside the door. They receive great feedback on this and often hear how much it means to the veteran.
The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry thanks Peter for his dedication and compassionate ministry to those who have given so much and for his service to our great nation – Semper Fidelis.
On Thursday, April 29, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Esther (Holy Cross - Collinsville, Illinois), Noah (Timothy Lutheran - St. Louis, Missouri), Sheba (Immanuel - Washington, Missouri), and Zillah (Immanuel - St. Charles, Missouri) visited Rockport Heights Elementary School in Arnold, Missouri. It wasn't the first time that these Comfort Dogs and their K-9 Ministry teams deployed to this school. On March 2, 2020, they were present at the school to bring the mercy and compassion of Jesus to those who were grieving the very sudden death of a 5th-grade student, Bethany. The Counseling Department staff and the School Administration were amazed at how effective the dogs were in bringing comfort to those who were hurting, as well as in providing a safe place for students and staff to process their grief. The Comfort Dogs were invited back to the school this past week to be a part of a school-wide celebration of Bethany's life on what would have been her birthday. School Counselor, Melinda Maylee, commented, "Your organization is AMAZING! The quality of professionalism of both your dogs and their handlers is above anything I've witnessed before. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service to our school community." |
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